In Dijon, a ton of contraband tobacco seized by customs officers

With 1,150 kilos of contraband cigarettes seized and a falsely registered van, the night of January 15, 2025 was productive for the Dijon customs internal surveillance brigade.

While on an inspection mission at the Gevrey-Chambertin area, on the A31, customs officers carried out an inspection of a van registered in France. Its driver, Belgian, claimed to come from Brussels and wanted to join Orange. He also told the agents that he was transporting tobacco, without knowing the quantity, and that he had been paid to do so.

Ultimately, nearly 115 boxes each containing 50 cartons of “Marlboro red” cigarettes without a tax sticker were discovered. At the rear of the vehicle, customs officers also found Belgian registration plates which correspond to the van’s papers.

Tried in immediate appearance on January 17, the offender was sentenced to 10 months of criminal imprisonment with continued detention, as well as 10 years of ban from French territory. He will also have to pay a customs fine of 690,000 euros.

“The fight against tobacco trafficking is one of the priority missions of customs, explains the regional management of the Dijon dunes. In 2023, 521 tonnes of tobacco were seized nationally. The services of the regional directorate of Dijon seized 1,894 kilos of contraband tobacco.“

Read also:
– Rhône: 3,000 cartons of cigarettes seized by customs in Villefranche
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